Ask Vic: Hoyer would be good QB bridge

You’ve got questions and comments that you submit to the Browns’ official Facebook and Twitter pages, and Daily@ClevelandBrowns.com. Here’s what I have to say about what you have to say:

James says: “I agree with you on playing Brian Hoyer next season and letting a rookie QB learn. It’s more important to win more games sooner and change this culture.”

I say: The key to that working, James, is that Hoyer is fully recovered from the major surgery he underwent after suffering that season-ending knee injury against Buffalo and is ready to participate in drills from the start of offseason workouts.

If that’s the case, I can see Hoyer simultaneously preparing to be the Browns’ starter for next season while also providing an excellent example for the rookie quarterback drafted (likely early in the first round) and, perhaps, another young player added to the position’s depth chart from the draft or free agency.

It was only two full games, but Hoyer showed enough to convince me he merits at least a season to lead an offense that he understood exceptionally well when he first joined the team last offseason and knows so much better now.

I would have no problem with starting a rookie quarterback if he demonstrated, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that he was ready to step in and be highly effective right away. But I don’t think that happens in most cases.

If all goes as well as anticipated with Hoyer’s recovery, I would think the team would benefit greatly from having him be the starter while the projected franchise quarterback gets to watch and learn.

Kevin says: “We can be a dynamic offense. We just need a QB, RB, outside WR and slot WR.”

I say: I agree, Kevin.

And, although your list of “needs” is fairly long and hardly a slam dunk when it comes to actually addressing them, there is reason to believe the offense could become dynamic in a short amount of time.

It already has been highly productive in terms of passing yards, with more than 4,100 passing yards by three quarterbacks (Hoyer, Brandon Weeden, and Jason Campbell) and the NFL’s top receiver in yards (Josh Gordon, with 1,564).

When you consider all of the injuries and other obstacles related to the quarterback position, alone, it is beyond amazing that the Browns have done as well as they have through the air. That’s a testament to the coaching of Rob Chudzinski and offensive coordinator Norv Turner, and to Turner’s play-calling.

One can only imagine how much more explosive this offense will be if it had ONE quality quarterback starting for a full season, ONE game-breaking receiver besides Gordon, and ONE DECENT running back who could make an impact receiving as well as running. Hitting on all three of those spots immediately is a tall order, but not impossible.